Zip ties, tie wraps, cable ties — whatever you call them, those simple strips of plastic with their robust built-in locks are undeniably useful. No wonder they're ubiquitous. But scan the ground at a building site, after an event or anywhere else objects have been attached, bundled or secured, and you're bound to spot discarded ties that have fulfilled their one-off purpose.
Since the last thing the world needs is more plastic waste, a Swedish startup has developed an alternative. While traditional ties are made of petroleum-based plastic, FibreStrap uses Scandinavian wood fibers from certified, controlled sources. The locking element is a bio-composite made of sugar cane residues, hemp, a biodegradable polymer and a 'negligible amount of metal. By the company's calculations, its product saves over 85% in CO2 emissions and more than 80% in water consumption.
Independent testing confirmed that FibreStrap meets the requirements set for plastic zip ties: "The test is made to simulate the harsh outdoors environment in Central Sweden for the duration of one year. The product has been exposed to UV-light, humidity and a range of temperatures for 1,000 hours to ensure that it can endure the conditions of different applications," says Tobias Bergarp, co-founder of FibreStrap. And a strap is guaranteed to handle a weight of 12 kg (26.5 lbs).
Production started in November 2023, and FibreStrap was nominated for a Green Product Award in December. The company is currently focused on launching in Europe and the US.
